Catch up!

I haven't written for a few months and I think it is because I have been trying to process our new lives that came with the beginning of the school year. Back to school is always trying, adjusting to new schedules and new people. It took us a few weeks to get into a routine but the kids all love their classes and their teachers and are back in the swing of things.

First day of school!  (Can you tell someone is sad he isn't going too?)

Along with starting school this one turned 4!

My baby is no longer a baby. When I look at him all the signs of being a toddler are barely visable. The little pot belly is missing. The wobbley toddler walk is gone and in it's place is the full speed run and lean body of a biggie boy. So sad. I was depressed for a week after his birthday thinking I will never go back to those snuggly newborn days. My husband had to remind me that this is good because we are entering a new stage of life where we can do so much more with our older kids and he is right. It is good. But I am glad Asher still wants to cuddle and sit on my lap, even though it is quickly becoming to small. Here are four things I love about Asher for his birthday.

1. The way he skip jumps everywhere he goes. It is in between a run and a skip. I will try to get it on video this week.

2. His substitution of the word "nunny" for the word nobody and no one.

3. His ability to make car, weapon and dinosaur noises. Boys must be genetically programmed for this one.

4. His none stop chatter. I didn't notice it so much when the girls were home, but now that they are in school all day, he is talking to me non-stop. He tells a really good story and asks questions about the world constantly. Thank heavens for you tube and all the videos on how things like crayons and legos are made.

And last but not least are the changes Kevin has brought to our little family. Kevin got a new position at his company. This means more traveling for him (especially this month), and less call for me! I am trying to get used to be a single parent most of the time becuse Kevin was also called to be the bishop of our LDS ward this month. Are you in shock? I am. I literally couldn't breathe for weeks when he got this call. I just keep thinking we are way too young for this and how are we going to handle all that responsibility.

One thing I know for sure is that Heavenly Father prepares us for what He wants us to do. There are so many things that have happened in the last few years to get us ready. We also were thinking of moving but every time we started to get serious about it I would feel like we should stay. Anyway, I know Kevin will do a great job and he has awesome counselors to help him out. Time will fly right? That is what I say to make myself feel better.

Whew! That was a big catch up. Here is hoping that I can update things a little more regularly so I don't forget all the small things happening in our lives as well as the big stuff!

Darth Vader goes to Disneyland

I don't know why I found this hilarious today.  Maybe it is because I had very little sleep lately, but I said to Asher, "You have to come see this.  Darth Vader is at Disneyland".  He told me that of course he is because Darth Vader can do what ever he wants.  Of course he can.

Spring Photos

We had spring photos a little bit ago from my good friend Jen at Smile-a-bunch Photography.  She does an awesome job, even getting this little man to cooperate.

This one needs no convincing.  She was posing everywhere and even giving suggestions on what would make a great picture.

 

And this girl is getting so OLD.  It terrifies me!  Especially when I put her on a plane all by herself this morning.  She is going to California to visit her aunt for a few days.  She thinks that she is pretty cool and was not nervous at all.  Her mom on the other hand was giving herself an ulcer as she watched that plane take off with her baby girl inside.  The butterflies did not stop until I heard that she had landed safe (ok let's admit that they still haven't stopped and probably won't until she is back at home in her own bed).  I can't wait to hear about all her adventures she is having this week and I know my little sister will take amazing care of her.

By the way, aren't these skirts adorable!  My friend Ruth made them and you are all in luck!  She just started an Etsy store where you can get one of your own!  Not to mention she has adorable little pants for boys.  Check out her website here!

Spring Dance Recital

The girls had their spring dance recital and they danced to a Tangled song.  I love how laid back their class is and how they get to just have fun.  Their teacher Kim is super cute and they both love her.  London is in the front right with Pyper right behind her.

Afterward they climbed the jungle gym and played Rapunzel of course. Good job girls!

Sid, The Hero of Elgin Avenue

Our dear friend Sid passed away last week.  In the short time that we knew him he taught us so much and was a great example of service and enduring to the end.  We are so grateful for the friendship and love he gave us.  When I asked the kids how they wanted to remember Sid,  they all had great ideas.  They will remember him by climbing trees (Sid taught them to climb his backyard tree), eating oreos and gingersnaps(the treat he always shared with them), and enjoying the flowers(Sid was a master geranium grower).  Sid loved being outside and enjoying nature.  A few weeks ago he was out working in his yard even though he was very sick, “I’m just soaking it all in!” he told me.  He didn’t let anything slow him down or keep him from helping others.  We will miss you Sid!  We will miss your hugs and how you always greeted us with kiss on the cheek. We will miss your sweet notes always signed "Your Friend Sid".  We are glad your suffering is over and you can be with your sweet wife again!  Check out Sid's obituary here.

I have not posted in forever so here is a little bit what we have been up to.

We took an amazing winter trip through Yellowstone. I had never been there in the winter and it was fantastic. The kids loved it and we got to check out the new visitor center at Old Faithful. I think our bus driver was a little worried when 11 kids climbed on board, but they did amazing. We hiked, looked for animals, watched Old Faithful, and ate lunch in a yurt. I would definately recommend a winter trip.

We also took a family trip to Disneyland. I didn't think Asher would remember much since he hadn't been since just after his 2nd birthday but he surprised me.  He kept calling Small World Jingle Bells because it was Christmas last time we were there.  His favorite rides were Pirates and Eddie the Ghost (Matterhorn with the Yeti).  London loved Captain Eo and California Screamin, and Pyper loved Space Mountian and Tower of Terror. 

Now that I feel a little caught up, I will try to post more often!

I'm officially old.

I have realized over the past few months that I am officially old.  Just a few examples...

My new hobby is crocheting.  How grandma is that?  In the past few months I have made all the kids owl hats, along with booties, a purse, headbands.  It is getting extreme.

I listen to Dave Ramsey everyday.  I now speak Dave and can tell you all of the baby steps and have started my debt snowball.  I have become kind of a fanatic.

My favorite music right now is an all hymn album.  It is called "Nearer" and it is really good.  I also have been listened to "The Bird and the Bee" a lot.   My friend gave me the song "Heard it on the Radio" and I became obsessed.  It reminded me of being a kid and just driving around in the summer with my mom.  I got the whole album and wouldn't you know it is a tribute album for Hall and Oates (songwriters form the seventies and eighties).  It was like going back in time.  I can remember hearing all these songs as a child. I must have listened to it a little too much though because now Asher goes around singing "I loved you like mad" all day and every time we get in the car we have to listen to it.  Hopefully he will have good music memories when he gets old too.

I can't believe she is 8!

London turned 8 this month.  I had a birthday as well and I didn't feel any older until this happened...

London got baptized!  When did my baby turn into a big accountable 8 year old?  How can I have a child this old?  She is turning into a young lady.  Everyday I look at her, she seems older and older.  She is such a huge help around here.  Here are a few things I love about London.

1.  She really loves her siblings and helps them every day.  They always know they can go to her if they need help with something and she will lend them a hand.  Asher would rather have her tuck him in at night then me (she always gives in to just one more story) and Pyper idolizes her.

2.  She is a great artist.  She loves art and she got the perfect teacher this year to push her in the right direction.  Right now they are working on a Van Gogh unit and her pictures are amazing. 

3.  She loves to read and she loves learning.  She is really interested in history and in science.  I love watching her get excited about a subject and really immersing herself in it.  She was recently learning about the Titanic and she loves watching Mysteries in Museums on the history channel.  She loves to create things and is always thinking of her next project.

4.  London is turning into quite the little chef.  She loves to make treats.  This week she baked a cake entirely by herself.  (I only helped put it in and take it out of the oven.) She did amazing job.  I am looking forward to when she can help with dinner :)

I don't know what I would do without my sweet girl.  I loved spending time with her over Christmas break.  It was so nice having her home the whole time and being able to talk with her.  I feel like time is rushing away and I will only have her for such a short time.  Hopefully we can make the most of every moment!

We love you London!  Happy Birthday!